This psalm laments the lack of righteous judgment in the world. The judges judge unjustly and the poor and needy are afflicted. But God promises to judge the judges. He will destroy the unrighteous judges and will righteously judge the inhabitants of the earth Himself. Then, all judgment will be righteous judgment.

What Does It Say?

1. How long will ye judge __________, and accept the _________ of the wicked?
2. ___________ the poor and fatherless: do __________ to the afflicted and needy.
3. They know not, neither will they ___________; they walk in ____________.
4. But they shall _______ like men and fall like one of the __________.
5. God as judge will inherit all ___________.

What Does It Mean?

1. “God standeth in the congregation of the mighty” (v.1). What do you think the congregation of the mighty refers to? To some degree, it certainly refers to the rulers of the land. However, it may also refer to a higher congregation. Consider Job 1:6Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
   See All...; Psalm 89:6For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?
   See All...; 2 Thessalonians 1:7And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
   See All...; Matthew 18:10Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
   See All.... What can we learn from these verses about the congregation of the mighty?
2. The psalmist refers to those who “accept the persons of the wicked” (v.2). At least ten verses in the Bible refer to accepting another man’s person. What does this mean? Sometimes, we can see the basic meaning of a word or phrase by looking at context. Look at the following verses and try to explain the meaning of accepting another man’s person: Job 32:21Let me not, I pray you, accept any man's person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.
   See All...; Job 34:19How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.
   See All...; Psalm 82:2How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.
   See All...; Proverbs 18:5It is not good to accept the person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgment.
   See All.... Consider also if the words of the phrase itself (accepting persons) might help you understand the meaning.
3. The identity of the “gods” in verses one and six have caused many people problems. However, Paul told us that “there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many)” (1Corinthians 8:5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
   See All...). So it is obvious that the name “god” (as the name “lord”) has a general meaning that may fit beings other than the one great God. The name “god” refers to power and authority. Therefore, in context of Psalm 82, who are the “gods” spoken of here? See also Exodus 22:28Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.
   See All... and John 10:34-36 [34] Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? [35] If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; [36] Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
   See All.... How do these verses help you answer this question?

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. God told the children of Israel to set up judges in the land to decide in difficult cases (see Deuteronomy 16:18Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 17:8-13 [8] If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; [9] And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and enquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment: [10] And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the LORD shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee: [11] According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left. [12] And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the LORD thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel. [13] And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously.
   See All...). Carefully read Psalm 82:3-4 [3] Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. [4] Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
   See All... and tell what the major duties of a judge are. Try to give examples of how this should work.
2. Verse five refers to the condition of the earth when there are no righteous judges: “They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course.” The people are in confusion and darkness. Even the foundations are “out of course.” That is, the foundations are out of place and unstable. How can you apply this spiritually to the condition of the world at such a time? How does Psalm 11:3If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?
   See All... (“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”) add to your understanding? What is God’s answer for such a time?